You See It's In the Blood

Mexican Take Out Dinner for Two

Brklyn Burro is a great Mexican spot far enough down the road that we don't get it often enough but on this day I tried the Family Platter, for two and fortified it with more hot sauce and guacamole (the least I could do).  I thought it was a great deal and enough to make 4 tacos with plenty of leftovers.  I love that they give roasted scallions, a way to this girl's heart.  I love me a green onion on the side of the plate, it reminds me of my mother.  She always had a little side green, a pepper, radish, avocado, green onion on her plate.  And it really is all about the sides and condiments for me too.  That's the color and excitement of any great meal.  

That morning I started the theme off with these delicious pulled pork breakfast tostadas.  Crispy carb-free torts with cheese, pulled pork, fried egg and jalapeno pesto.  

Blood's Thicker Than the Mud

Arby's Chicken, Bacon Swiss Sandwich. Incredible!

The thing about funerals is they are for everyone yet our grief is so personal.  The moments of joy in between all the crying and sadness, are heightened because it's all so hard, yet an important part of life.

I had to miss the family gatherings afterwards and in between due to my 'COVID situation' as I called it.  COVID and politics no doubt have broken some of our families and robbed us of our beautiful rituals and traditions.  

Room Service - P's Fajitas from the Gringo Grill

My Shrimp tacos - Super refreshing, loved these!

Dining al Fresco at Gringo Grill 

Super Nachos - Tortillas chips, melted cheese sauce, topped with grilled marinated
steak, pico de gallo, beans and pickled red onions finished with sour cream
salsa and avocado

Stop for gas, get a banana split!  I love this town!

Mini Chimichanga appetizer - MINI CHIMIS   

Four mini chimis (one of each: beans & cheese, green chili & cheese, shredded chicken, ground beef)

I'm almost crying right now remembering that we didn't make a dent in these.  What I wouldn't do for them right now.  

Taco platter for P

Rodehouse Restaurant in Phoenix - Burger looked normal but tasted exceptional

Avocado BLT with Tavern Chips

Airport in North Carolina -  Buffalo Shrimp and fries

Instead of telling stories and having long talks with family, P took my Marge Simpson coughy ass on a long drive to where my folks used to live and it made up for any horrible shade I received.  He in turn spent some time at the local Indian Casino while I waited outside soaking up all the vitamin D and quiet.  

Superstition Mountains

The nearby town of Miami was desolate, quiet and felt like a painting

In happier times, I visited my parents here in Globe where they lived on this hill looking out onto a wash where wild javelinas roamed and peach trees grew.

Back on Mars

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Not as often as I'd like but I do come up with fun ideas for chicken occasionally.  This night I stuffed the skin with kale, shaved potato, and Cotija cheese but THEN I crusted them with crushed up Flamin' Hot Fritos and baked.  This was so very summer.  I'm not sure why but salty food with larger pops of flavor taste best in hot weather.  The cool potato salad and the buttered corn on the cob were the perfect companions to these thighs.

Many Thangs is On My Mind, Words in the Way

P went off on a road trip and I found myself with a day off and an amazing movie that I took in solo and in the early afternoon.  This movie has everything, Mexican cartel, orphaned children, ghosts,  an interesting lady filmmaker Issa Lopez, in the style of Guillermo del Toro, a personal favorite.

Sitting there in my choice seat, I ordered one of their fancy shakes and a bowl of Herbed Truffle Parmesan Popcorn and it was delicious!  This is one of those things that I never thought I would enjoy doing.  To take myself to the movies where I pick the flick and order exactly what I want.  It was fantastic actually. The movie was inspiring and I loved the child actors.  The dreaminess of the world they created was much better than expected. 

I got word around this time that my nephew was to do his 6th tour of duty and was being sent to Iraq.  Since then unfortunately another couple of his Apache pilots that were under his command in Fort Hood, were killed in Afghanistan. And this kind of news is frequent for him.  It's a reminder how families around the country are silently turned upside down constantly with worry and grief.   When you have the luxury of sitting in an air-conditioned movie theater these days (I feel it anyway), you feel a real privilege for the ability to tune out the problems of the world.  Here I was reclined in a giant seat, completely comfortable with good snacks and sweets, enjoying a wondrous freedom.  I remember being so awkward trying to express my thanks to him but also curious about what was appropriate to say, like what do real military want to hear from idiot civilians.  Very kindly he said that he wishes more people were educated on our ongoing conflict.  Sounded like they've all heard enough of 'thank you for your service' although he's super humble and kind about it.  Its hard for me to ingest let along understand the news especially military information, so instead I've been taking moments out during some of my various freedoms to give thanks to him and all our other soldiers out there. 

You Can Make It If You Try

I like the pictures to tell the story of Thanksgiving.  It gets easier each year to fix healthier versions of everything we love but still feeling the bounty of the season.  An herb crusted turkey.  Shrimp marinated in lemon & olive oil, a recipe from Food and Wine.  So refreshing!

www.foodandwine.com/recipes/shrimp-marinated-in-lemon-and-olive-oil‏

Then an edamame dip with Quinoa chips for a pairing appetizer.  Get it! 

A homemade pie!  find recipe at acozykitchen.com/caramel-pear-pie-oat-crumble/.  This induced a triple food orgasm warmed with vanilla ice cream later than night.  Very special.  

A brussel sprout slaw.  No one would have thought this would be good but it was delightful!  Roasted sunflower seeds give it such a bright crunch. 

www.foodandwine.com/recipes/lemony-brussels-sprout-slaw‏

The stuffing was full of everything and wild rice.  I finally learned to cook mushrooms correctly on higher heat.  

www.foodandwine.com/recipes/wild-rice-italian-sausage-and-shiitake-stuffing

I made giblet gravy from my good 'ole Fanny Farmer cookbook I've had for years.

A roasted sweet potato, acorn squash mash with yogurt and roasted garlic.

A salad with arugula, pears, bleu cheese and pomegranate seeds and walnuts topped with a lemon vinaigrette.

So thankful this year for so many things, too many to mention.